Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-03-26
A TERRIBLE VOYAGE.
THE MISSING STEAMER SCOTIA ASHORE
ON LONG ISLAND
A Thousand Lives In Peril From the Fierce Break
srs During the Day-Ths Passengers Now
Safe-Their Terrible Suferings-
A Brave Captain.

BROOKLYN, March 25.-The steamship
Scotia, of the Fabre Line, that plies be-
tween New York and the Mediterranean,
went ashore at Blue Point Station, fifteen
miles east of Fire Island lighthouse, dur
ing the terrific gale this morning.
She took the beach with her head on
but finally worked around broadside on
in the frightfully high sea that was run
ming.
An east northeast hurricane was blowing
at a velocity of 20 miles an hour, and as
soon as the vessel became caught in the
auicksands the sea was cast in all diree-
tions about her by the violent hurricane.
The waves made q clean breach over her
deck, and when the vessel was discovered
by the life saving crew her two masts had
been swept from their stepping by the
angry sea.
The vessel when she departed from Mar
seilles, Oh February 20, had on board
several hundred passengers. These, for
the most part, were Italian emigrants
bound to this country to settle in the
West At Naples where she called few
days alterward, there embarked nearly
800 passengers. These were from her
sister ship, the Bergundia, which was
previously sunk in the disastrous collision
with the Italian man-Ot-war Italia. These
passengers swelled the list to nearly l,lOO.
A few others were taken on ut Gibraltar,
which point she left on February %. The
vessel experienced unusually severe
weather on the passage across and much
anxiety was felt for the passengers on
board.
When the steamer encountered the land
the majority of passengers were resting.
With the first shock several hundred OF
them rushed on deck, and panic ensued.
The officers and crew were pOwerless.
When the waves began breaking over the
decks the women Shrieked and fell on their
knees implOring help, while the children
clung to their garments crying and scream
ing. The anguish of the women in trying
to protect the little ones from the spray
was pitiful to behold. The carrying away
of the masts added to the terror of the
passengers and they clutched one another
as though they expected to he the next to
be swept away.
The vessel gradually settled in the loose
sand and ut 10 o'clock, when she was first
discovered by the coast guard, there was
not more than about half dozen feet Of
freebOard left. Every sea makes a clear
breach over her decks, carrying everything
movable overheard. When first diScov-
cred the vessel was in the midst of a very
high sea which WIS sweeping her fore and
aft. The high nOrtheasterly winds which
prevailed prevented the life savers from
making any attempts at rescue. They
tried several times, however, 10 fire the
line by means Of a mortar on shore, but
each time the aim was too low and the
line fell wide Of its mark. When they
finally succeeded in getting line to the
vessel it was of little or no use, owing to
assembled on the beach and were en-
utdNOTluS DN every III tECil pONSA
TO assist the life saving crew.
The Scotia is under the French flag and
halls from. Marseilles. She was built at
Leith, Scotland, November, 1881, and Is
therefore comparatively new. She is brig
rigged and registered 2,492 gross tons.
There is but little hope of saving the YES
sci. Her agents in this city, J. W. Elwell
q Co, South street, have sent assistance to
the vessel. The Scotia, with her cargo, is
valued at from $500, 900 to $3.50, 900.
The vessel lies with her nose deep in the
sand headed northeast. Her appearance
gives unmistakable evidence of hard
usage by the waves and the absence Of
masts and rigging, together with the gen
eral disorder of her deck makes her almost
u distressing object. Through Il surfman
who visited the Scotia in the life-bOat and
who spoke little English, il was learned
that the statements of passenger Farina,
who succeeded in getting ashore in the
first boat which reached the vessel, as
then the terrible storm experienced and
the
were not overdrawn. For nearly 20 days
the steamer met series Of storms, the
waves dashing over the decks like huge
mountains, and at times threatening to
entirely submerge her. During most OF the
time it was necessary to keep the poor en-
igrants packed like sardines in the steer
age where they were subjected TO inde-
sCribable suflerings, being thrown from
side 10 side Is the vessel pitched, thrown
from their berths and sustaining more or
less serious bruises or fractures of their
bodies and limbs. Several men and wO-
men had arms and legs broken, while chill
dren, many of them, are black and blue
from frequent contact with iOists and
beams The machinery of the steamer
had been little used for nearly week.
Capt. Buffat behaved nobly, remaining
almost continuously on the bridge during
the week. Yesterday the lead was thrown
frequently, and last night, when sound
ings indicated proximity to the beach and
the storm not ahating, while the vessel
strained and tossed, he decided TO beach
her, and in order TO keep her more steady,
he ordered the cutting of the masts.
When she struck the beach the thud of the
shock was felt by all the passengers. A
scene of ineXpreSSible eXcitemen prevailed; {;
women and children screamed and prayed
alOud, while stalwart men ran about
shouting and gesticulating wildly.
1t was hardly daybreak when
the vessel grounded, and those
on board could not distinguish the
land ahead, and it was not until the life
saving crew reached the ship that the
captain knew just where he was. Captain
Bishop, the Merritt WreckIng Company's
agent, arrived on the beach about 6 o'clock
and Immediately took charge of the saving
ofthe vessel and made ready for the tugs
expected from New York. After inspect
ing the vessel Captain Bishop said he
thought she could be got off all right and
her cargo saved.
Bilious, Dyspeptic, Nervous invalids
grow strong, ruddy, and healthy by the
use of the Liebig Co. IS Coco Beef Tonic.
1t gives more tone than anything | have
ever prescribed, says Professor II. GOullOn,
NJ. D., l.. l.. D., Physician to the Grand
Duke Of SOxOny, etc.
ADuck Hunters GhastIy Discovery.
Il 4